Mexican.- Amer. War / 3/5ths Compromise / U.S. eyeing the Philippians

" A History of Compromise"

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© CAGIV
Some members of the Boston College community expressed there concerns that this years’ ball organized by the AHANA Leadership Council, is called the “AHANA Ball.” The following is my attempt to respectfully respond to their concerns:

The name of the ball was deliberately and intentionally changed back to AHANA ball as it was called when I first came to this campus, and the many years before that. The AHANA ball and boat cruise were created for the purpose of affirming the humanity and existence of a historically marginalized group of students at Boston College by providing them with a social outlet that they can call there own.  

Many people agree and disagree, with me and many scholars who write on matters like this on a national level. ALC was created for the purpose of serving AHANA students, not for the purpose of promoting unity between the races. Yes we try to serve the AHANA community by promoting unity, but we do not compromise our history and values for the purpose of changing the name of an event, which may not really determine who comes to the ball or not. There is no proof that says that calling it AHANA ball causes less unity on campus.  This is not only a debate at BC, but is also a national debate.

People say all the time, “why does it have to be called ‘Black Entertainment Television?’,” well because the truth is that black people are not catered to when it comes to mainstream television. Therefore “White Television,” is everything else that is on.  Unfortunately, the same racial phenomena exists on this campus, and this is evident by the number of AHANA students who feel comfortable attending Homecoming, or Middle March. It seems that, for some reason, those events are not of their liking. And so the AHANA Leadership Council, made it apart of its mission to, and I quote….. “uplift the AHANA community….socially,” via events like the ball.   

We have to remember that white students, just like white people in American, do not view themselves as a collective group, with group interests. Therefore, they would be quick to say that we are separating ourselves or being exclusive. But you have to really think about it, and when you do, one should ask, why don’t people of color, “generally speaking,” feel comfortable attending Homecoming and Middle March in large numbers.  Maybe, because it’s not marketed to them in such a way that appeals to them. Maybe because the music list is not what they like. Although its open to all, (Just as the Ball flyer says by the way), the things that compose the event do not make them feel welcomed. 

There is a problem with race relations, when in 2005, people of color are still the ones who have to compromise their history, heritage, and tradition. This doesn’t mean that we are being the better or bigger person about it, but it means that we are continuing to be the “moral conscience” of this country. But sometimes, we have to stay true to our principles and affirm our own humanity. Why? Because only when us people of color begin to respect our own history, traditions, and institutions, will other people begin to respect us . I would rather us achieve unity because white students respect the fact that we are proud of the AHANA acronym, as oppose to them blindly attending the ball because it just says ALC. Because ALC doesn’t mean anything to me, but “AHANA” Leadership Council means a whole lot to me. What are we trying to do, trick them into unity by changing the name?

So I really and truly understand where you are coming from. But seriously think about it. No one ever asks UGBC to change the name of their Irish Pub series to make it more open to all and to promote unity.  And if this was a Jewish event/tradition, no one would even think of asking them to change the name of their ball in order to promote unity.  

During the 2002-2003 school year, Jonathan Evans, Vice President of ALC, who happened to be white, decided that the ball and boat cruise names should be changed from AHANA to ALC. (his race doesn’t matter, but it certainly informs his thinking) A few students of color agreed with this, and some disagreed. I most certainly did polls of ALC members before I made the change, and they for the most part agreed that it should be called the AHANA Ball, especially since we are “Celebrating,” not hiding, the fact that we have had the acronym and community for 25 years. So AHANA doesn’t have a ball, ALC presents a ball, for the AHANA community.  The flyer says that all are welcomed, and anyone who has enough respect for our BC tradition to open their mind and come to the ball so that they too can celebrate the AHANA community, should certainly come and do that. This year we have expanded the ball by 300 tickets, and I guarantee you that most of those 300 tickets will be purchased by white students. And I welcome them whole heartedly. So what are we really talking about here, promoting unity at the ball, or hiding our acronym in order to be perceived as more open and friendly as a community? Neither is really measurable.

Calling the ball for what it really is and celebrating the acronym, in my opinion, doesn't limit the ball, but it enriches it and makes it even more appealing and cultured.  Culture and Heritage is a limiting agent only to those who are ignorant.  If we are calling most people ignorant, then we will try to educate them via a forum, not the ball that costs $38,000.